By Wayne Sirmons,
President Mayfair Neighbors, Inc.
Welcome to the first Mayfair Mirror of the decade. Has it really been 10 years since we were planning for Y2K and the collapse of the global infrastructure? Last year it seemed like the worst of the Y2K predictions were coming true (only 8 years late).
Fortunately Mayfair seems to be weathering the recession much better than many other neighborhoods. Our property values have remained relativity in tact. There doesn’t appear to be an excessive number of foreclosures, we aren’t seeing abandoned houses and crime rates are actually slightly down. All it all it proves the strength of Mayfair.
Unfortunately in times like this, it is the small business that’s the first to go and the last to return. Everyone would agree that local businesses influence, if not define, the tenor and character of a neighborhood and when a good business closed it diminishes the neighborhood.
The good news is there are still signs of life for Mayfair businesses and there are a few new establishments still cropping up. It’s up to us to support these businesses as much as possible. If we want a thriving retail corridor, then we must make the commitment to frequent and support those places first. If you have weekend project or two, think about you local hardware store first. If it’s a few pennies more, don’t quibble and revert to the big box stores. Think about the value of having a local business that gives you personal service and most likely knows your name. They owners well may live in area so they have a vested interest in Mayfair.
If you’re going to dinner, remember our local restaurants. If you need a quick gift, give gift certificates from one of our varied and eclectic restaurants. Remember them for happy hour, too. We have several great florists, antique shops and other services around the neighborhood try to use them first. The more successful our businesses are, the more it will attract new businesses.
Also, you have an issue with business,
let the owner know. If you’re not getting
the service you deserve or they are offering
an inferior product, let them know your
feelings in a constructive way. Many of
these owners have invested their life into
their storefronts and they want to identify
and correct problems. I was talking about
the closing of a local business, someone
said, “It’s about time -- the customer
service was terrible”. I asked if they
had ever talked to the owner about their
issues and of course they hadn’t. I wonder
how many owners have put up a going out
of business sign and never really understood
why they weren’t successful.
There is no question that Mayfair is a fantastic place to live and it will only keep getting better. We will come out of this economic slump better than ever and part of our success over the next few years will be dependant the quality of our businesses. While there are many factors that we can’t control, we have the power to make sure our local businesses are as vibrant and diverse as our residents.
Download the Spring issue! (4.5 MB PDF file).